Postal Identity Card is issued under clause 63 of the Post Office Guide - Part I for the benefit of tourists,
traveling representatives of firms and other
members of the public who experience difficulty in establishing their
identity in connection with postal transactions, e.g., receipt of registered
and insured articles and payment of money orders in the post town through
which they pass. These cards will be obtainable at any head post office by
literate persons whose identity is well established in the locality in which
they reside or who can be vouched for by substantial permanent residents
known to the postmaster.

The card will contain a full description of its holder, his signature and
photograph and will be current for a period of three years from the date of
issue. After the expiry of the period of validity of the card, a fresh card
will have to be applied for.

The use of these cards is entirely optional. Holders will ordinarily receive
delivery of postal articles and payment of money orders on their
presentation but in cases of doubt it will be open to postmasters to make
such further enquiry as they may consider necessary to establish the
identity of the applicants with the holders of the cards and to demand
additional corroborative evidence of such identity.

In the event of the loss of a card, a duplicate will be issued to the holder
on the conditions laid down in sub-clause (2) above besides paying the
prescribed fee and on his giving a written declaration absolving the
department from all responsibility in the event of the misuse of the
original.

Cost

Application fee for the card is Rs.
20/-.

Processing fee and
card cost - Rs. 250/- to be paid at the time of submission of filled up application

In order to make the cards more attractive, Tamilnadu Circle is issuing these in the form of plastic cards like smart cards incorporating information like date of birth, telephone/mobile number and blood group in addition to the address of the person.